CHECKMATE Meaning and
Definition
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Checkmate is a term employed in the realm of chess when an opponent's king is in a position of vulnerability, unable to make any legal move without being captured, thus signifying the end of the game. Derived from the Persian word "shāh māt," meaning "the king is defeated," checkmate is a crucial phase in chess gameplay where the king is trapped and unable to evade capture. It is also a pivotal moment when a player's strategic moves have led to an impregnable position, leaving the opponent with no options to safeguard their king.
Checkmate typically occurs when the king is threatened by an opponent's piece, usually the queen, rook, bishop, or knight, such that the king cannot change its location without being captured. The objective of any chess game is to ensnare the opposing king in checkmate, which is the ultimate aim in order to emerge victorious. The term is used both as a noun to describe the state of the king's defeat and as a verb to indicate the act of delivering checkmate.
Metaphorically, "checkmate" has been adopted and used in broader contexts outside of chess to signify an unassailable position, a conclusive victory, or an incontrovertible argument that leaves no room for rebuttal or escape. It symbolizes the completion of a well-executed strategy that renders an opponent wholly defeated and unable to mount a counteraction.
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• A movement that finishes a game of chess.
• To hinder from moving and so to finish; to defeat; to overthrow.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for CHECKMATE
Etymology of CHECKMATE
The word "checkmate" comes from the Persian phrase "shāh māt", meaning "the king is dead" or "the king is defeated". It was later adopted into Arabic as "shāh māt" and spread into other languages, including Spanish ("jaque mate"), French ("échec et mat"), and eventually English ("checkmate"). The term originated in the game of chess, where it signifies a move that puts the opponent's king in a position where it cannot escape capture.
Similar spelling word for CHECKMATE
Conjugate verb Checkmate
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have checkmated
you
would have checkmated
he/she/it
would have checkmated
we
would have checkmated
they
would have checkmated
I
would have checkmate
you
would have checkmate
he/she/it
would have checkmate
we
would have checkmate
they
would have checkmate
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been checkmating
you
would have been checkmating
he/she/it
would have been checkmating
we
would have been checkmating
they
would have been checkmating
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would checkmate
you
would checkmate
he/she/it
would checkmate
we
would checkmate
they
would checkmate
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be checkmating
you
would be checkmating
he/she/it
would be checkmating
we
would be checkmating
they
would be checkmating
FUTURE
I
will checkmate
you
will checkmate
he/she/it
will checkmate
we
will checkmate
they
will checkmate
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be checkmating
you
will be checkmating
he/she/it
will be checkmating
we
will be checkmating
they
will be checkmating
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have checkmated
you
will have checkmated
he/she/it
will have checkmated
we
will have checkmated
they
will have checkmated
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been checkmating
you
will have been checkmating
he/she/it
will have been checkmating
we
will have been checkmating
they
will have been checkmating
IMPERATIVE
you
checkmate
we
let´s checkmate
to checkmate
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was checkmating
you
were checkmating
he/she/it
was checkmating
we
were checkmating
they
were checkmating
PAST PARTICIPLE
checkmated
PAST PERFECT
I
had checkmated
you
had checkmated
he/she/it
had checkmated
we
had checkmated
they
had checkmated
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been checkmating
you
had been checkmating
he/she/it
had been checkmating
we
had been checkmating
they
had been checkmating
PRESENT
I
checkmate
you
checkmate
he/she/it
checkmates
we
checkmate
they
checkmate
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am checkmating
you
are checkmating
he/she/it
is checkmating
we
are checkmating
they
are checkmating
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
checkmating
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have checkmated
you
have checkmated
he/she/it
has checkmated
we
have checkmated
they
have checkmated
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been checkmating
you
have been checkmating
he/she/it
has been checkmating
we
have been checkmating
they
have been checkmating
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
checkmate
SIMPLE PAST
I
checkmated
you
checkmated
he/she/it
checkmated
we
checkmated
they
checkmated
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